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ocratio party was apparently doomed for
defeat, and when other so oalled lead
ers of the party stood as in a- trance,
almost afraid to make a turn, he gal
lautly took up the gauntlet, and made a
fight for democracy such as had never
before been witnessed la this section.
Not only was he triumphantly elected
but a district that had two years previ
ous elected an alliance man was once
more plac< d where it rightfolly belonged
Judge Maddox has since been twice re
elected, and his r»o>rd in congress one
worthy of the man.
A* an eloquent, brilliant and convinc
ing speaker. Judge Maddox stands with
out a peer. He is a gifted man, pos
sessed of bro id and liberal views. great
in .ormat o i, general reading and schol
arly at-aintueurs. It is fortunate indeed
that a ten ktnan of such rare ability
should have been chosen br the people
to represent th-'in in the halls of the
Federal government.
Hon, A S. Clay.
* 4 Ah ! Who can tell how hard it is to c inib
The s e*-p where Fame’s proud temple shtD?s
afar ?”
* * * * * ♦
Possibly no other single individual
enjoys to a greater degree the respect
and esteem of the people of this great
commonwealth, than Hon. A. S Clay,
junior United States senator from Geor
!/ gia. His influ mce is unbounded, and
his name- almo-t a by word. He is a
man of good address, and a fluent, in
teres* ing and pleasing speaker, both at
the bar and before the public.
Hon. Alexander S. Clay was born in
Cobb county, Ga, in 1853. He was
reared on the farm, and during boy
bo id schooled at the near-by country
schools. Later, he went to Palmetto,
Ga., where he received his preparatory
elocation and then entered Hiwassee
College, Monroe county, Tenn., from
which he was graduated in 1876. Re
turning home.he immediately began the
study of law under the preceptorship of
Hon. David Irwin, and in 1877 was ad
mitted to the bar. He located in Ma
rietta, where he at once was accorded an
advanced professional position, and has
HON. MOSES WRIGHT.
steadily risen until now he is acknowl
edged to be one of the best lawyers in
the state, as well as a most potent fac
tor in politics Mr. Clay has been a
life-long democrat, inheriting the prin
ciples of that patty from his father and
grandfather before him, both of whom
were typical types of the Southern gen
tleman of ante bellom days, and firm
believers of the doctrines of Thomas
Jefferson. Mr. Clay has from time to
time been honored by the people of his
city, and legislative and senatorial dis
trict. In 1881 he was elected a member
of the city council of Marietta, and was
re elected the succeeding year, but re
signed and did not serve In 1884 was
elected to represent Cobb county in the
general assembly, and served on the
committees on railroads, finance and
privileges and elections. In 1886 he
was re-elected, was chosen speaker pro
tempore, appointed chairman of tbe
committees on manufacturing and made
a member of the committees on finance,
c irporations and railroads.
He was again elected in 1888
and unanimously elected speak
er of tbe house. His labors
and service during this term were
unusually arduous, of inestimable
..value to the state and placed him high
on the roll of Georgia’s most promi
nent men. In 1890 Mr. ( lay was elect
ed to represent his senatorial district
*in the general assembly and was
unanimously chosen president of that
body—presiding with his usual ability
L to his own credit and the advantage
of tbe state. In 1894 he was tnaoe
■ chairman of the state democratic ex-
■ ecutive committee and conducted the
■ Atkinson Hines gubernatorial tlec-
■ tion, and in 1896 again served in the
■ same capacity. In the fall cf 1896,
■ after a most interesting fight (one
F that will long be long be remember
I by the people of Georgia) he was
' chosen United States senator over a
number of very strong and formidable
candidates. The honor thus con
ferred on him was a just reward for
his labors tn behalf of his party in
former years. His political career
msy be said to have just begun, as lit
is only On the threshold of matured
manhood. Senator Clay possesses to a
marked degree the qualities of enei
gy, self-reliance, ability and laudable
a übltion. By the virtues of these
, great and praiseworthy qualities, be
hold the tamer's boy become tbe
junior United States senator from
Georgia. Milton tails ns that “am
bition is the infirmity of noble mind.”
A desire for distinction in his lay
and geieration and for usefulness to
his fellows was the spur that impelled
the fanner boy to surmonnt the ob
stacles of his lot; to con his books I y
the “light of his pine knot fire,” “ o
gl -
&
1I
HALS ED SMITH.’
scorn delights aud live laborlo-s
days,” to reach out after and lay firm
bold upon that knowledge which is
power.
Hon. Seaborn Wright
Among tbe distinguished members
of the bar of this city none occupy a
more exalted position than the subject
of this article.
Hon. Seaborn Wright is a lawyer of
more than ordinary ability, a man of
advamed thougl t, an orator with few
if any superiors in the state a id h
man of irreproachable probity, and
whose mein protrays a character <t
many admitat.le traits.
Mr. Wright was born near Rome,
Ga., November 29ch, 1856; was edu
cated at the sch >ols of the county
an ! the Mercer university Mien,
Ga.,from which he was graduated
with distinction in 1878 and at the
same time was commencement orator
of his class. He read law under his
distinguished father, Hon. Augustus
R. Wright, one ot Georgia’s distin
guished public men of anti-bellum
days, and was admitted to tbe bar in
January, 1879. When but twenty
one years old he was elected to the
legislature as an independent candi
date, over a very formidable and
strong candidate on the regular Demo
cratic ticket, and two years hence was
re elected. In 1896, he was the Pro
hi itionist a d People’s Party candi
date for governor of this great com
monwealth, being nominated by the
former party and endorsed by the
latter. In politics he is an independent,
I of the most pronounced type, believ
ing the great evils of American poli
.; tics to be the result of extreme par-
I tisanship, and that tbe rights of
I the people are higher than the dic
tates of party
James H, Hoskinson,
Taken in all its phases, the b;r of
Rome is one of the largest and most rep
resentative iu Georgia I’s individual
members are wide-awake, properous
men, who by their acts and culture have
established for this c.ty a name in the
professional world.
Among those who constitute the bar
and whose name s*auds well upon the
scroll, is Mr. James H. Hoskinson of
the firm of Hoikinson & Harrs. Mr.
Hoskinson is a native of Floyd county,
received his education during the late
war at White Sulphur Springs, Ga., un
der Prof. Lee. Was prepared for col
lege at Hearn . school, Cave Spring,
Ga In 1872, Mr. Hoskinson entered
the University of Georgia, Athens, Ga.,
from which institution he was gradu
M. B. EUBANKS.
a’ed with bis University class in 1874,
oxo pt in Greek, having dropped that
study when senior year was half ad
vanced, for the purpose of taking regu
lar course, and was graduated with his
law class iu 1875, thus gaining s x
months.
Mr. Hoskinson located in Rome and
entered upon the pursuits of bis pro
fession which he has since followed
THE ROME TRIBUNE, SOUVENIR AND TRADE
with marked success. Tbe present ;
eo-partnersnip has existed since 1892
and is, indeed, a strong one.
Mr. Hoskinson lias gained a well ‘
earned name as a corporation lawyer ;
and as sue.) represents a number of
large enterprises. His legal educat ion
coupled with his keen, searching in
quiry, eminently fit him for the great
life work he has chosen. Such men
add destinctiou and eminence to the
legal fraternity.
Hon. Moses Wright
Possibly to other single individual
enjoys, to a greater degree, the respect
aud esteem of the citizens of this sec
tion than Hon. Moses Wright, of this
city.
Mr. Wright comes of a family distin
guished as public men and lawyers. His
fattier was a prominent character in
State affairs, and one of the South’s
most distinguished lawyers. Judge A.
R. , Wright was a man of tbe highest
integrity, true to bis country and to bis
people. He served during bis day as
congressman and jfidge; was an orator
of mo<t. pleasing address and among the
talented men of Georgia.
Mr. Moses Wright, in many ways,
has inherited the gilts that made his
father famous He was born in Floyd
county in 1866 and was educated at
private schools and the University of
Georgia, from which be was graduated
with distinction. He read law under
his father, and under bis careful train
ing received much technical knowledge
that has been of vast importance and
advantage to him in after life.
During his career as a practitioner,
he has been associated with the firms of
Wright, Meyerhardt & Wright, Wright
& Harper, and since 1894, has been
practicing in co partnership with Har
per Hamilton, as Wright & Hamilton.
As an attorney he has achieved dis
tinction. There is no young man in
Georgia who can be said to be an abler
1 iwyer, or one with more promise. As
a speaker before the courts he is argu
mentative and logical, often rhetorical
and eloquent. In his practice he looks
' -IF Isi. ’
■ Irk
HON. JOHN H. REECE.
atgboth sides of a case with true judi
cial judgment, and hence is very suc
'cessful in his profession, He never de
scends to the arts of the pettifogger or
charlatan, but aspires to the highest
professional standard.
Mr. Wright’s disposition ismost kindly
and social, and his manners and habits
entirely free from formality and stiff
ness. Envy, hatred and malice and all
uncbaritableness have no place in his
composition. His mine is quick and in
cisive, full of resource and thoroughly
imbued with all the elementary princi
ples of the law. In politics, Mr. Wright
is a staunch democrat and as such ha_
been honored by that party, serving
a legislator from Floyd county and as
solicitor general, which office he still
occupies. He is an eloquent and forcible
public speaker, and his speeches before
the people, before conventions and
other gatherings have been widely com
mended. -
No young man has a brighter or more
tangible future, and what it may have
in store for him, time alone will tell.
Hon Halsted Smith,
Hon. Halsted Smith, city clerk and a
prominent member of the bar, is one of
those men who possesses a personal
magnetism that impresses all who have
either personal or business relations
with him. No member of the bar or
citizen of Rome is more highly esteemed
or has more implicitly the confidence of
his clients and fellow-citizens than Mr.
Smith. He is one of the foremost of
the live professional men of the city, and
in integrity of character and intellect
ual endowment, advanced thought and
progressiveness, worthily represents the
profession which he adorns. Person
ally he is a man of broad, liberal views,
easy of access, a pleasant conversation
alist, and one whose very countenance
and mien portrays well a character
warm and true.
In the practice of law, Mr. Smith
has made a splendid reputation, especi
ally in the realestate line. He is gen
eral counsel for the Rome Mutual Loan
Association, and represents the legal
department of other associations. No
lawyer excels him in corporation law,
from which he has made an exhaustive
study. In addition to his practice he
conducts an abstract business, posses '
sing as he does, the only complete ab-
stract of title to be had in the conntf.
As clerk he has made an honorable
record, conducting the office in a busi
ness-like manner, a characteristic trail
of the man in all his transactions.
M. B, Eubanks
Among the many yonng men of the
city w ho are fast coming to the front by
means of their intelligence, thrift and
laudable purposes, may be men’ioned
the one whose name forms the oaption
of this article.
Mr. M. B. Eubanks is a lawyer of no
smsll ability, aud one well and faver
ably known in this section. Mr. Eu
banks is a native of Limestone conuty,
but removed to Floyd when a mere ch p
with his parents. He was born iu the
above named coin ty in 187>>, and edu
cat id at the Cherokee Institute and the
Hearn Institute at Cave Spriug, prii -
cipally, however, at the former seboo 1 .
His early life was spent at hard Work
upon a farm, which vocation he follow
ed, with the exception of a short time
spent in teaching, up to 1890. That- year
Mr. Eubanks removed to Rome and en
tered the mercantile house of W. H.
Coker & Co., with which he was con
nected until January, 1892. He com
menced the study of law under Ewing,
Thompson & Ewing, aud was admitted
to practice in the Superior court in
April 1892, and the Supreme court of
the State, February 20* h, 1897. Upon
his admission to tbe bar, Mr. Eubanks
immediately engaged in the practice of
his profession. He has succeeded in
building up a large commercial practice,
representing many merchants of the
city, and in the criminal branch of his
profession, has gained a reputation that
might well be envied.
In January, 1895, Mr. Eubanks was
elected county surveyor, and upon the
expiration of his term of office last Janu
ary, was elected city recorder. As sni h
he has made a faithful and just judge,
and a terror to the evil doers.of the
city.
He is prominent in fraternal orders,
being a Mason, orator of Hill Ci’y
Council, Royal Arcanum ard prelate of
Mount Alto Lodge, No. 12, Knights of
Pythias.
Mr. Eubanks is a studious, careful
and painstaking lawyer, an honeet, and
so far a safe counsellor at law. He en
joys a large circle of warm personal
friends, among whom are some of the
most influential citizens of Rome.
Hoc. John H, Reece
For thirty years John H. Reece has
held his place as one of the leaders of
the Rome bar. He is known as one of
the wisestand safest lawyers in North
Georgia. He is careful, clear-headed
and conservative. As a legal adviser
he is always prudent and safe, and as
an advocate he has few equals in tbe
state. John H. Reece was born in
Floyd county in 1840. He received his
primary education in the common
schools of the county, and then en
tered the old Cherokee Baptist College
at Cassville, where he was a student
at the commencement of tbe war. He
promptly enlisted in the Eighth
Georgia Regiment and was elected
lieutenant of his company; and was
later elected captain. He was after
wards captain of a company in a
regiment, commanded by Col. George
A- Smith, of Macon; was captured in
1864, and kept a prisoner at Johnson’s
Island until June 1865. After his re
lease he returned to Floyd county
and worked for a year or two on the
farm, and then entered upon the prac
tice oi his profession in Rome, where
be has since remained.
In 1876 be was elected to tbe Geor
gia legislature, and took an active
and prominent part in calling the
constitutional convention of 1877,
which framed the present constitu
tion of Georgia, and was afterwards
elected to the first general assembly,
held under the new constitution. For
several years be was associated in the
law practice with the late Col. C D.
Forsyth, and later with Hon. Rich
ard A. Denny, with whom he now
practices under the firm name of
Reece & Denny, which firm, probably
has the best paying practice in North
Georgia. -
Mr. Reece is an influential member
of the present legislature, and is
prominently mentioned as a candidate
for judge of tbe Rome circuit. He is
very popular in Floyd county, and
has strong friends iu all parts of the
state. He is a careful student of the
public questions of the day and takes
a deep interest iu all matters affecting
tbe prosperity and well being of the
county and state.
Hon, W, H Ennis,
A name synonymous with geniality
and popularity is part of “Bill” Ennis,
who ably represents Floyd county in
the lower house of the general assem
bly of Georgia. Among the members
of tbe legislature he is looked upon as
one of tbe coming men of this section
of North Georgia. Mr. Ennis is a law
yer by profession.
He was born in the neighboring state
of Alabama, at Blue Ponds, in 1869. He
was scarcely two years old when his
parents moved to the state of Georgia,
locating at Lyerly, Chattooga county.
He enjoys tbe proud distinction of be-
longing to that class of men who-have
pos hly done more f-<r their country
than all Others combined, and known
as s-ls made men.
He received a high school educa
tion, and. by dint of personal applica
tion has made biturUf a classical
scholar, which few men can boast of.
At the age of seventeen he was
reaching in onr public schools and
continued to teach Until the year 1890,
d >riog which time he decided upoi-
HON. W. H. ENNIS.
the profession of law as hi- vocation.
In pursuance ot this determination
he entered the law office of Alexander
& Wright, of this city, where, for a
year, he pursued the pages of Black
stone and kindred works rtquislte for
a law license.
He whs admitted to tbe bar in the
spring of 1891, and at once formed a
co-partnership with Hon. John W.
Starling under the firm name of En
nis & Starling, which was dissevered
some months ago.
Y>>ung..ardent and aggressive, be
impressed himself from the first upon
his associates at the bar, as well as
upon his clientele among the busi
ness men and fa* mere of the city and
county. In a rough and tumble con
test be is invincible, and hie career as
a political leader bids fair to be a
brilliant one'.
Hon. Wesley Shropshire,
Hon. Wesley Shropshire state sena
tor from the 42ud senatorial district;
which comprises tbe rich and fertile
counties of Floyd, Chattooga and Bar
tow,is a striking example of what in
domnitable will and never-say die
pluck will accomplish.
He hails from the good old county
of Chattooga, which has given to the
world so many men of character
and worth, The law attracted him
and he is consided one of the leading
attorneys of Chattooga. For five years
previous to 1896 he represented bis
county in the legislature. At the last
election, It being Chattooga’s time to
name a senator under the rotation
system, he was a candidate for the
place. There were opposing candi
dates but Wesley Shropshire sw pt the
field and was elected by a handsome
majority. The wisdom of the choos
ing is too well known now to cause
needless comment here. To tbe higher
bouse he brought the matured judge
ment and experience of five years ser
vice in the lower branch. There is no
hesitancy or wavering in this man,
once be takes a stand upon any ques
tion. And tbe records will show that
he is nearly alwajs on the right side.
He was born in Forrestville, Floyd
county, December 3rd, 1860. His
father was S. C. Shropshire who was
Clerk of the House of Representatives
in 1849 and died in Confederate ser
vice in Cumberland Gap, Tennessee,
in 1862. His grandfather was Hon.
Wesley Shropshire, who represented
Floyd as sheriff in 1838, then as repre
sentative and later as sheriff of Chat
tooga, representative from Chattooga
and state senator. He also represented
Chattooga in the Constitutional Con
vention of 1868. He died in the 94th
HON. WESLEY SHROPSHIRE.
year on the place he settled in Chat
tooga county fifty years before. He
raised Wesley Shropshire, taking him
to bis home in Chattooga at the age
of three years. Mrs. Mary Shropshire,
a daughter, of Judge A. R. Wright,
who for years has been a leader of the
cause of education in this city, and
who has been a teacher in the public
school since its establishment, is tbe
mother of the suhj ct of this sketch.
Chough springing fronts ncestry com
bluing tbe blood of two of Georgia’
most noted sous, and strongest char
icters, Wesley Shropshire, jr, has
wou his proud eminence by his own
mirth aud unquestioned ability.
When only fifteen years ofagshe
was compelled to quit school aud just
it the time he was ready tv enter the
janor class But such men, while
possibly temporarily hampered by the
lack of a complete education, allow
no obstacles to stand iu the way of
success. So with study, perseverance
>ie relied upon hie own native ability,
aud his position today bespeaks bis
-troug character.
He entered the legal arena at the
Summerville bar, whith lias given us
• uch eminent lawyers as judges John
V. Maddox and W. M. Henry. He is
now among the foremost of tbe mem
bers of that bar. Twice he was elec
ted mayor of Summerville, receiving
every vote cast. He was elected to
represent Chattooga in the legislature
receiving a large majority over hie
•pponent who was a most excellent
man. He is now state senator
for tbe 42ud senatorial district. He
has ever been an active supporter of
old fashioned democracy, always sub
mitting his candidacy to primaries,
faithfully adhering to the principle
that a public officer is a servant of tbe
people. He is a genial pleasant gen
tleman with many friends all over this
section ot the state and wherever he
is known.
Col, T, W, Alexander,
Col T. W. Alexander, of the law firm
of A'exander and Hillyer, enjoys the
distinction of being the nestor of the
bar of this city, and an at’omey who
has won laurels at the shrine of justice.
Col. Alexander was born in Gwinett
county, Ga., September Ist, 1826. He
read law under his brother, J. R. Alex-,
ander at Lawrenceville, Ga., and was
admitted to the bar in 1847, since which
time he has been engaged in its practice.
Col. Alexander removed to Rome in 1853
A P. REDMOND. .
and has resided in this city continuously
with tbe exc* ption of the period em-,
braced daring the civil war. In 1861 he
organized a company, of which be was
elected captain, and joined the Confed
erate serv.ee. The company became a
part of the 29th Georgia and partici
pa ed in the battles of the Western army
in its campaign in Tennessee, etc-
Daring the first year of his service, Col.
Alexander was made lieutenant colonel
and served as such until the close of the
war, participated in a 1 the battle of his
regiment.
In 1850, during his residence in Gwin
ett county, he was a m tuber of the
Georgia convention from that county;
in 1859-60 a member in tbe state legis
lature from Floyd county and subse
quently twice mayor of Rome. Daring
his administration as such he accom
plished the settlement of the city’s debt.
As a man, he is trusted for noble ele
ments of heart and soul; as a friend he
is generous to the needy; as a member
of the bar, The Tribune is proud to place
his name high on the roll of the city’s
most distinguished lawyers.
[Bar Continued on Page 18.]
A P. Redmond
Nothing affords Tbe Tribune more
pleasure than to notice tue success of
honest, persevering effort directed by
intelligence and persistency, which
knows no such word as fail. Such has
characterized the efforts of tbe gentle
man whose name heads this article—
A. P. Redmond—the popular and
progressive deputy sheriff--a gentle
man whose many friends are only
limited by the number of his ac
quaintances. He ha selfmade man,
and deserves great credit for the sta
tion in life which he occupies.
Mr. A. P. Redmond was born of
pior but honest parent, May 7th 1852.
He obtained au education through his
own efforts, attending school but a
few months during his life. He was
brought up in the field of adversity,
but being a man of determined mind
he has pushed himself forwarded, and
has tueceeded admirably. Mr. Red
mond has followed farming for a
livelihood from his early infancy, and
today is one of the prosperous farmers
in this section, owi i >g some 500 acres
of land about seven miles from Rome,
and nearly all of which is in a perfect
state of cultivation.
Mr. Redmond has served as justice
of the peace of the Etowah district; a
number of other minor offices and was
elected deputy sheriff in October. 1896.
He has made a most efficient officer,
and will no doabt some d'y occupy a
higher position of trust in the county.
13